Transcript Glyphosate Monograph

The IARC Monographs:
Volume 112, Glyphosate Evaluation
Kate Z. Guyton PhD DABT
Senior Toxicologist
Responsible Officer, Volume 112
Monographs Programme
IARC Evaluation of Glyphosate
 Probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A)
IARC evaluations are used as a reference worldwide
 All data are in the public domain for independent scientific review
 Reviewed by the world’s leading experts without vested interests
What happens after IARC identifies a carcinogen?
 Risk assessments help regulators and the public understand the
extent of potential cancer risk
 Measures to reduce exposures
Scientific engagement:
Glyphosate Monograph
Monograph
in-person meeting
(3-10 March 2015)
Meeting announced (March 2014):
• Preliminary List of Agents
• Call for Data and Experts
• Request for Observer Status
• WHO CoI form posted
•
•
•
Participants
(and DOI)
announced
(Jan. 2015)
The Lancet
Oncology
publication
(March
2015)
References
shared with
health
agencies
(April 2015)
Glyphosate
Monograph
publication
(July 2015)
IARC meetings are open and follow transparent, published methods
All meeting participants have full access to the data being evaluated
Fully referenced Monographs published on-line for free download
How was glyphosate evaluated?
o ~1000 studies identified and screened
o Laboratory studies
 “Pure” glyphosate, glyphosate formulations
• Cancer in mice, rats
• DNA damage (genotoxicity)
o Human studies (real-world exposures)
 DNA damage– community
residents before and after spraying
 Cancer in humans– farmers, other workers
 Published Monograph: >250 references
Cancers in mice fed glyphosate
Positive results in 2 of 2 feeding studies
• Rare cancers: extremely important in
assessing human risk….but challenging to detect
signal from background noise
o High statistical significance
o Benign, malignant cancers; no toxicity
 Evaluation fully in line with accepted principles
 Sufficient evidence of cancer in animals
Damage to DNA (Genotoxicity)
Residents in sprayed
communities
DNA and chromosome damage
in blood
Strong evidence, glyphosate
Strong evidence, glyphosate:
• Experiments using:
• Human cells
• Animal cells
• Mammals and non-mammals
• Negative in bacteria
• Experiments using:
• Human cells
• Animal cells
• Mammals and non-mammal
• Negative in bacteria
formulations:
• Exposed community residents • No studies in exposed humans
Human cancer studies (NHL)
Studies of exposed workers provide “limited” evidence for NHL
(Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare type of cancer)
1) Case-control
studies
• Sweden, Canada, US
• 2592 NHL cases
• Increased risks,
not explained by
other pesticides
2) Cohort study
(Ag Health Study)
• US, 2 states
• 92 NHL cases
• No significant
increase in risk
3) Meta-analysis
• Objective method to
combine all studies
• Increased risks
Summary: glyphosate hazard evaluation
Cancer in
experimental
animals
Sufficient evidence
•
Studies of pure
•
Rare cancers in valid
studies
glyphosate
DNA damage &
other relevant data
Cancer in
humans (NHL)
Strong evidence
Limited evidence
•
•
•
•
Studies of real-world
exposures
Experimental studies of
pure glyphosate
Experimental studies of
glyphosate
formulations
•
Studies of real-world
exposures
Glyphosate
formulations in
different regions at
different times
Overall evaluation of glyphosate:
Group 2A Probably carcinogenic to humans
Question 1: What causes cancer,
glyphosate or formulations?
Real-world exposures to formulations, BUT… similar
increases in the same type of cancer (NHL) in:
• Different geographic regions
• Different times
Studies of “pure” glyphosate:
• Sufficient evidence for cancer in animals
• Strong evidence of DNA damage
(genotoxicity)
 “Glyphosate” is probably carcinogenic to
humans
Question 2: How was the US AHS
study weighed in the evaluation?
• AHS is one of the largest studies of pesticides and
cancer, BUT…
o Not the largest study of NHL (fewer NHL cases)
o Short follow-up time
 Limited ability to detect rare cancers
• Increased risk in case-control studies
• Increased risk in combined data from all studies
 The AHS does not negate other studies
 Altogether, the evidence is “limited”
Question 3: What do unpublished
toxicology studies show?
Some industry toxicology studies considered by IARC were not
evaluated (not in the public domain in sufficient detail for
independent review)
o Cancer studies in rodents: cancers were reported, full
data needed to verify
o Additional negative “guideline” studies (e.g., in bacteria)
(consistent with IARC conclusion)
o No additional studies in exposed humans, human cells
 IARC has requested and encourages full
public data release for independent scientific
review
Question 4: What happens next?
A. What usually happens after IARC
classifications?
o A risk assessment- to help understand level of risk
with exposure in different settings
o Public health action to limit exposure to workers
and the general public
B. Does IARC make policy recommendations?
No. It remains the responsibility of national and
international agencies to limit exposures to
carcinogens identified by IARC.